Chapter 137: Ch:137 The Gatekey

While Daniel was busy devouring the fruits from the basket, Zero stepped in with a black robe over his left arm, and approach calmly.

“What’s that?” Daniel asked, his expression neutral as he glanced up.

Zero paused, studying him for a brief moment before answering.

“You’ve officially become an Exil member,” he said evenly. “And this is what you’ll be wearing.”

Taking another bite of the orange, Daniel lifted the black robe, examining it under the dim light.

“I heard I brought back a rare artifact,” he said, his gaze still fixed on the robe. “Mind telling me what it is?”

Zero cleared his throat before replying. “It’s still being examined thoroughly. For now, I don’t have much information on it.”

“Hm…” Daniel hummed, his brows knitting slightly. “Then what’s my purpose here? Am I allowed to go home?” he asked, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his face.

Zero nodded. “Pretty much… yes. I’ve assigned you the role of assistant investigator.”

“What? Without my consent?”

“Don’t worry,” Zero replied calmly. “It’s a role barely anyone takes. There isn’t much work to do.”

Daniel set the robe aside, picked up an apple from the basket, and took a slow bite.

“Why do I feel like you’re hiding something from me?” he said between chews, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What exactly is this Exil guild and all.”

Zero let out a quiet sigh and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Well… Exil isn’t exactly a guild,” he began. “It’s more of a community, for those who once walked the path of power and fame.”

He paused briefly, his gaze lowering.

“But as you can imagine… once people taste both, they grow greedy. And they begin to crave more.”

“We were once like you, Daniel,” Zero continued quietly. “Young, hungry, chasing power, hunting creatures, clearing dungeons for better and better items.”

A faint, bitter smile touched his lips.

“And before you even realize it… you become nothing more than a puppet of the Saint Royals of the Eagle Kingdom.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Saint Royals?”

Zero gave a small nod. “Yes. In this kingdom, there’s a hierarchy. At the bottom are commoners like you. Above them are the nobles, then the royals…”

He paused, his expression turning slightly grim.

“And at the very top sit the Saint Royals. Basically, those bastards control the entire kingdom. Even the king is nothing more than their puppet, without ever realizing it.”

A moment of silence settled between them before Daniel finally broke it.

“So… like, you guys are trying to start a rebellion or something?” Daniel asked, his tone uncertain.

Zero shook his head softly. “For decades, our objective was to sabotage their plans, create internal conflict among them, and then kill every one of them.”

Daniel fell silent, staring at Zero as his expression softened with sadness. Just then, Naze stepped in and called out, “Zero, the commander is calling for you. He said Zane has a new intel.”

Without hesitation, Zero stood and left the room, leaving Daniel behind.

…

Half an hour later, Zero returned to the room, only to find Daniel standing beside the bed, dressed in a black robe.

“What are you doing?” Zero asked with a neutral expression.

“Nothing,” Daniel replied, adjusting the robe slightly. “Just trying this thing on.”

“Come with me. Someone wants to see you,” Zero said.

The two left the room and walked through the underground tunnel. Zero led the way, a flame flickering in his palm, while Daniel followed, scanning the passage ahead.

It was like a well-crafted underground base, much like an ant colony — one tunnel branching into another, and then another, then another.

Each marked with signboards for clear direction.

…

“Zane, this is Daniel and Daniel this is Zane, the head investigator of Exil,” Zero said, introducing them.

“Nice to meet you,” Zane said, his voice deep.

Daniel returned the greeting with respect and activate his ability.

“Status,” he whispered.

——————

Name: Zane Marrow

Age: 43

HP: 10500/10500

Mana: 8500/8500

Description: A calm yet intimidating man who has worked as an investigator in Exil for over a decade and holds a high reputation within the organization.

——————

Zane explained that his investigation had come to a halt, but he had found something suspicious. Some women dressed like nuns who regularly visited the church might be connected to the summoner.

“Really?” Daniel asked, his expression curious.

Zane nodded. “Yes, but I’m not sure who to suspect. I want you to go to the church and find out for me.”

“What?” Daniel said, startled.

“It’s because you’re young, and no one will suspect you for attending the church. Understand?” Zero said, standing beside him.

Daniel paused, then shook his head. He refused, saying the timing of his training and the church visits would clash, and he didn’t want to miss his training.

Zane sighed.

“I’m certain that within a few days, another attack will be launched during your training session if we don’t find the summoner,” Zane said, his tone steady and deep. “I’m not forcing you, but I am giving you a choice, either help us find the summoner, or something bad might happen.”

The room fell silent, the dim torchlight flickering across the walls. Zero remained still, waiting for Daniel’s response, while Zane turned slightly and folded his hands behind his back.

“Okay,” Daniel said, his tone reluctant but resolute. “I’ll do it.”

“Great,” said Zane, turning with a smile. “Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin our investigation.”

With that, they dispersed and left the room. Zero personally guided Daniel outside, explaining the layout of the underground system.

There were hidden exits that only Exil members could open using a special necklace.

Zero handed the necklace to Daniel.

“Far” Daniel whispered, following closely behind him.

——————

Name: Exil’s Gatekey

Type: Wearable

Description: A special item that allows the wearer to open underground entrances with a simple gesture. As the user approaches a hidden door, the necklace vibrates, indicating proximity to the secret entrance.

——————

As they walked in silence, Daniel asked the time.

“The sun is about to set,” Zero replied, his tone calm.

“I know what you’re thinking, Daniel. That you probably spent days in that trial, but for us, it felt like only a few minutes.”

Daniel froze in disbelief, his eyes widening slowly. He began recalling moments from the trial — the times he had taken naps, the times he had nearly died.

Just as the memories washed over him, Zero suddenly stopped, and Daniel crashed into his back.

“This ladder will lead you to the opposite side of Arcane Town,” Zero said, before turning away.

Daniel glanced sideways and saw a ladder stretching straight up. Without saying a word, he began climbing.

Meanwhile, a fire spirit hovered below him, casting flickering light as it jumped, almost as if cheering him on.

The moment he opened the lid, a cold breeze brushed his face, and he saw the dusk settling in the west. He had emerged near the wall opposite the Arcane main gate.

Lifting himself upright, he carefully closed the lid, its grass covering blending perfectly with the surroundings, and followed the wall toward the main gate.

“Uhmm… agh,” he murmured, twisting into a quick stretch.

“As he reached the main gate, he walked toward his home, still in shock that everything had happened in a single day.

In front of his home’s gate, he saw Esmeralda wrapped in a white towel, another draped over her head, as if she had just stepped out of a fresh bath.

“Hello, young man,” she said softly.

Daniel stepped inside and closed the gate, his eyes lingering on her with a mischievous smile. “Hello, Lady Esma. You look absolutely gorgeous.”

Esmeralda chuckled softly. “Ah, thank you,” she said, turning gracefully away.

Before her fingers could touch the doorknob, Daniel closed the gap in a few swift steps and gently opened it for her, letting her pass through first like a true gentleman.

Esmeralda’s face warmed for a moment, a subtle flush coloring her cheeks as she crossed the threshold.

“Status,” Daniel whispered, his gaze lingered on the curve of her ass.

————————

Name: Esmeralda Frant

Age: 31

HP: 1000/1000

Mana: 300/300

Essence: 100%

Quality: Outstanding

Description: A strong woman widowed the day after her love marriage, when a guild dungeon mission claimed her husband, leaving her newly awakened sexual needs forever forbidden by the ghost she still loves.

————————

’Her essence is full again. I need to level up her quality from outstanding to the next,’ he thought.

Esmeralda turned to close the door, smiling softly, but froze when Daniel leaned in, their eyes locking in an unexpected, tense moment.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, their eyes locked in silence. Esmeralda swallowed hard, a sudden warmth spreading through her as his gaze held her captive.

“Lady Esma, mind if I join tonight’s dinner?” Daniel asked, his voice low and steady.

She gave a small nod and stepped back a few paces, silently inviting him inside, a subtle, seductive curve tugging at her lips

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